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Envy or Jealousy?
Envy or Jealousy?
What is the difference between "envy" and "jealousy"?"Jealousy" is an emotion related to your things (usually a person in a relationship). "Envy" is an emotion related to someone else's things.
In other words, the difference between "envy" and "jealousy" is linked to the person or thing being desired. Typically, "jealousy" is a three-person situation, but "envy" is a two-person situation. For example:
- I am filled with jealousy when you speak to my girlfriend.
- I am filled with envy over your new house.


More about "Envy" and "Jealousy"
Even though the words "envy" and "jealousy" are used interchangeably these days, there is a clear distinction between the two words that is still observed by language purists.Jealousy over My Things but Envy over Your Things
The noun "jealousy" describes a negative emotion caused by an attack on something we already have (usually a person in a relationship). It contrasts with "envy," which is a negative emotion caused by wanting something owned by someone else (usually a possession or a personal trait).Examples:
- I felt jealous when you danced with my wife.
- I felt envious of your good looks.
- I'm really jealous of your new car.
Even Homer Simpson Knows the Difference
This video shows Homer educating Lisa on the distinction between "jealous" and "envious."JEL on Social Media and Text Speak
The distinction between "envy" and "jealousy" is disappearing fast. The blurring of this distinction is being accelerated by terms such as JEL (jealous), JEAL (jealous), JELLO (jealous), and JELLY (jealous), which are commonly used on social-media platforms to mean "envious," "envy," "jealous," or "jealousy."Interactive Exercise
Here are three randomly selected questions from a larger exercise, which can be edited, printed to create an exercise worksheet, or sent via email to friends or students.- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?